{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]],"date-time":"2026-09-03T17:04:14Z","timestamp":1788455054408,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":17,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776816000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776816000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Rotary op Seyst"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Support Care Cancer"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Purpose<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Parental cancer can significantly impact family dynamics, particularly for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), who face the developmental task of balancing autonomy and connectedness. As cancer incidence rises globally, more AYAs are confronted with the challenges of parental illness. While most research focuses on individual psychological outcomes, less is known about how families function as a unit under such stress. This study aimed to gain deeper insight into family functioning, with a specific focus on autonomy, connectedness, and communication, in the face of parental cancer.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using thematic analysis. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with eight families (13 parents, 14 AYAs) in which one parent had been diagnosed with cancer. The interview design included separate interviews with parent(s), child(ren), and a joint family interview.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Thematic analysis yielded three main themes:\n                      <jats:italic>children\u2019s struggle between personal space and family life<\/jats:italic>\n                      ,\n                      <jats:italic>barriers and opportunities in family communication<\/jats:italic>\n                      , and\n                      <jats:italic>redefining connectedness<\/jats:italic>\n                      . These themes illustrate how families attempt to balance autonomy and connectedness and the role of communication in this.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Families facing parental cancer develop different ways to balance autonomy and connectedness. In some families, strong emotional attunement naturally supported this balance, even in the absence of open communication. Others struggled more with these dynamics. Practical strategies such as maintaining meaningful activities, doing activities that foster open communication, humor, and involving children in the medical process can support family resilience. When emotional attunement does not arise naturally, family-based interventions may help strengthen these processes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-026-10670-6","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T21:54:35Z","timestamp":1776894875000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Navigating family life in the face of parental cancer: a qualitative study"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"34","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-7962-1640","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gerdien","family":"van der Zwaag","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7484-8085","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Henri\u00ebtta J. Bragt-de","family":"Jong","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8397-7674","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Melanie P. J.","family":"Schellekens","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1316-7008","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marije L.","family":"van der Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"10670_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"683","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctrv.2004.06.001","volume":"30","author":"A Visser","year":"2004","unstructured":"Visser A, Huizinga GA, van der Graaf WTA, Hoekstra HJ, Hoekstra-Weebers JEHM (2004) The impact of parental cancer on children and the family: a review of the literature. Cancer Treat Rev 30:683\u2013694. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ctrv.2004.06.001","journal-title":"Cancer Treat Rev"},{"key":"10670_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2017.08.017","volume":"77","author":"A Walczak","year":"2018","unstructured":"Walczak A, McDonald F, Patterson P, Dobinson K, Allison K (2018) How does parental cancer affect adolescent and young adult offspring? A systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud 77:54\u201380. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2017.08.017","journal-title":"Int J Nurs Stud"},{"key":"10670_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"447","DOI":"10.1002\/pon.3942","volume":"25","author":"FEJ McDonald","year":"2016","unstructured":"McDonald FEJ, Patterson P, White KJ, Butow PN, Costa DSJ, Kerridge I, John Wiley & Sons (2016) Correlates of unmet needs and psychological distress in adolescent and young adults who have a parent diagnosed with cancer. Psycho-Oncol 25:447\u2013454. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/pon.3942","journal-title":"Psycho-Oncol"},{"key":"10670_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1336","DOI":"10.1002\/ijc.35278","volume":"156","author":"AM Filho","year":"2025","unstructured":"Filho AM, Laversanne M, Ferlay J, Colombet M, Pi\u00f1eros M, Znaor A (2025) The GLOBOCAN 2022 cancer estimates: data sources, methods, and a snapshot of the cancer burden worldwide. Int J Cancer 156:1336\u20131346. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ijc.35278","journal-title":"Int J Cancer"},{"key":"10670_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"94","DOI":"10.1097\/NCC.0000000000000358","volume":"40","author":"K Bartfai Jansson","year":"2017","unstructured":"Bartfai Jansson K, Anderz\u00e9n-Carlsson A (2017) Adolescents\u2019 perspectives of living with a parent\u2019s cancer: a unique and personal experience. Cancer Nurs 40:94. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/NCC.0000000000000358","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs"},{"key":"10670_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1111\/1753-6405.12885","volume":"43","author":"JN Morris","year":"2019","unstructured":"Morris JN, Zajac I, Turnbull D, Preen D, Patterson P, Martini A (2019) A longitudinal investigation of Western Australian families impacted by parental cancer with adolescent and young adult offspring. Aust N Z J Public Health 43:261\u2013266. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1753-6405.12885","journal-title":"Aust N Z J Public Health"},{"key":"10670_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2289","DOI":"10.1002\/cncr.26056","volume":"117","author":"BJ Zebrack","year":"2011","unstructured":"Zebrack BJ (2011) Psychological, social, and behavioral issues for young adults with cancer. Cancer 117:2289\u20132294. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/cncr.26056","journal-title":"Cancer"},{"key":"10670_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1590\/S0102-37722000000100004","volume":"16","author":"E Scabini","year":"2000","unstructured":"Scabini E, Universidade de Bras\u00edlia (2000) Parent\u2013child relationships in Italian families: connectedness and autonomy in the transition to adulthood. Psicol Teor e Pesqui 16:23\u201330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1590\/S0102-37722000000100004","journal-title":"Psicol Teor e Pesqui"},{"key":"10670_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3235","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-016-3214-2","volume":"24","author":"JN Morris","year":"2016","unstructured":"Morris JN, Martini A, Preen D (2016) The well-being of children impacted by a parent with cancer: an integrative review. Support Care Cancer 24:3235\u20133251. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00520-016-3214-2","journal-title":"Support Care Cancer"},{"key":"10670_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-024-08608-x","volume":"32","author":"K Perak","year":"2024","unstructured":"Perak K, McDonald FEJ, Conti J, Yao YS, Skrabal Ross X (2024) Family adjustment and resilience after a parental cancer diagnosis. Support Care Cancer 32. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00520-024-08608-x","journal-title":"Support Care Cancer"},{"key":"10670_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1080\/17405629.2016.1154035","volume":"13","author":"F Walsh","year":"2016","unstructured":"Walsh F (2016) Family resilience: a developmental systems framework. Eur J Dev Psychol 13:313\u2013324. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17405629.2016.1154035","journal-title":"Eur J Dev Psychol"},{"key":"10670_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1515\/ijamh-2012-0105","volume":"26","author":"CR Phillips-Salimi","year":"2014","unstructured":"Phillips-Salimi CR, Robb SL, Monahan PO, Dossey A, Haase JE, De Gruyter (2014) Perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion: a comparison of adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer and their parents. Int J Adolesc Med Health 26:19\u201326. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/ijamh-2012-0105","journal-title":"Int J Adolesc Med Health"},{"key":"10670_CR13","first-page":"1","volume-title":"Thematic analysis\u202f: a practical guide","author":"V Braun","year":"2021","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V (2021) Thematic analysis\u202f: a practical guide. SAGE Publications Ltd, pp 1\u2013100"},{"key":"10670_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","volume":"19","author":"A Tong","year":"2007","unstructured":"Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J (2007) Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care 19:349\u2013357. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","journal-title":"Int J Qual Health Care"},{"key":"10670_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"572","DOI":"10.1111\/hsc.12547","volume":"26","author":"E McDougall","year":"2018","unstructured":"McDougall E, O\u2019Connor M, Howell J (2018) Something that happens at home and stays at home\u201d: an exploration of the lived experience of young carers in Western Australia. Health Soc Care Community 26:572\u2013580. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/hsc.12547","journal-title":"Health Soc Care Community"},{"key":"10670_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejon.2021.102035","volume":"54","author":"M Chen","year":"2021","unstructured":"Chen M, Gong J, Cao Q, Luo X, Li J, Li Q (2021) A literature review of the relationship between dyadic coping and dyadic outcomes in cancer couples. Eur J Oncol Nurs 54. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ejon.2021.102035","journal-title":"Eur J Oncol Nurs"},{"key":"10670_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"669","DOI":"10.1188\/21.ONF.669-679","volume":"48","author":"M Dewan","year":"2021","unstructured":"Dewan M, Gorman J, Hayes-Lattin B, Lyons K (2021) Open communication and physical intimacy in young and midlife couples surviving cancer beyond the first year of diagnosis. ONF 48:669\u2013679. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1188\/21.ONF.669-679","journal-title":"ONF"}],"container-title":["Supportive Care in Cancer"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s00520-026-10670-6.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s00520-026-10670-6","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s00520-026-10670-6.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,13]],"date-time":"2026-05-13T14:47:38Z","timestamp":1778683658000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s00520-026-10670-6"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"references-count":17,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]}},"alternative-id":["10670"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00520-026-10670-6","relation":{"has-preprint":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.21203\/rs.3.rs-8396001\/v1","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["0941-4355","1433-7339"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0941-4355","type":"print"},{"value":"1433-7339","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"assertion":[{"value":"18 December 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"5 March 2026","order":2,"name":"revised","label":"Revised","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"8 April 2026","order":3,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"22 April 2026","order":4,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committees of the Ethical Review Board of Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Netherlands (RP1049), and the principles of the revised Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Participants signed informed consent regarding publishing their data.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"454"}}